92 families living in pre-Independence building in Meerut get eviction notice

Despite the claims of the residents, the report made by the then additional district magistrate Meerut, Bhupendra Kumar, has declared the land in question as ‘Nazul land’Ishita Bhatia | TNN | August 04, 2017, 18:30 IST

MEERUT: Two days after Meerut Development Authority (MDA) demolished a newly built multi-story shopping complex on Hapur crossing, as many as 92 families living in the flats adjacent to the building are in a fix as they have also received notices to vacate their apartments. The residents say that their families have been living here since 1940 and that they have all the documents to prove their claim. Residents alleged that all this is part of the plan by land mafias.

Imran Khan, a resident, said, “How can a pre-Independence era dwelling be illegal? Our father and forefathers lived in these flats, which have been here since 1940. The building is owned by one Abdul Jabbar and given to 92 flat occupants. We have already submitted all the documents but still nobody is ready to believe us and are plotting against us.”

Various occupants of the flats in Jabaar building met Meerut divisional commissioner in this regard on Thursday. Nafees Ahmed, another resident, said, “Where will we go if we are forced to vacate the building? When we have the documents in our name, why should we vacate? The property adjacent to ours was illegal but that doesn’t mean that our land is also illegal.”

Despite the claims of the residents, the report made by the then additional district magistrate Meerut, Bhupendra Kumar, has declared the land in question as ‘Nazul land’. The term ‘Nazul land’ means land or buildings in or near towns or villages which have escheated to the government. The plot of land adjacent to the Jabbar building was razed to the ground under the same guidelines.Escheat is a common law doctrine that transfers a property of a person who died without heirs to the crown or state. It serves to ensure that the property i question is not left in "limbo" without recognized ownership.

The decision of the district administration to demolish the building came after the Allahabad high court – on a writ petition of Meerut-based Sachin Saini – ordered that action be taken and the case be disposed of as per the reports of the ADM within two weeks.

Sachin Saini said, "The land — which is actually Nazul land and belongs to the government — was somehow sold to one Abdul Jabbar illegally despite the fact that the owner never had any right over the property. He was tricked after which he started renting out the building to others. But the truth is that it is Nazul land and nobody can build residential flats here."